Understand the concept of a system and how it relates to information systems.
Explain why knowledge of information systems is important for business professionals, and identify five areas of information systems knowledge that they need.

Chapter 1Foundations of Information Systems in BusinessLearning ObjectivesUnderstand the concept of a system and how it relates to information systems.Explain why knowledge of information systems is important for business professionals, and identify five areas of information systems knowledge that they need.Learning ObjectivesGive examples to illustrate how the business applications of information systems can support a firm’s business processes, managerial decision making, and strategies for competitive advantage.Provide examples of several major types of information systems from your experiences with business organizations in the real world.Learning ObjectivesIdentify several challenges that a business manager might face in managing the successful and ethical development and use of information technology in a business.Provide examples of the components of real world information systems. Illustrate that in an information system, people use hardware, software, data, and networks as resources to perform input, processing, output, storage, and control activities that transform data resources into information products.Demonstrate familiarity with the myriad of career opportunities in information systems.Section 1Foundation Concepts: Information Systems in BusinessI. The Real World of Information SystemsInformation Systems are an essential field in the study of business administration and management.IS and IT and Internet technologies play vital roles in business and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of business processes, managerial decision making, and workgroup collaboration.II. The Fundamental Roles of IS in BusinessSupport of Strategies for Competitive AdvantageSupport of Business Decision MakingSupport of Business Processes and OperationsIV. The Role of e-Business in BusinessE-Business – use of Internet technologies to empower business processes, e-commerce, and enterprise collaboration within a firm and its customers, suppliers, and stakeholdersEnterprise Collaboration Systems – support communication, coordination, and collaboration among networked teams/workgroupsE-Commerce – buying, selling, marketing, and servicing products, services, and information over computer networksVI. Managerial Challenges of Information TechnologyThe IS FunctionIS is a major functional area of business, just as important as any business functionIS is an important contributor to operational efficiency, employee productivity and morale, and customer services and satisfactionIS is an important strategic resourceSection 2Foundation Concepts: The Components of Information SystemsI. System Concepts: The Foundation for Business ProcessesWhat Is a System?Input – capture the data to be processedProcessing – change the data into informationOutput – disseminate the information product to its destinationFeedback and ControlFeedback – data about the performance of the systemControl – monitoring the feedback to determine if the system is meeting its objectivesIII. Information System ResourcesPeople ResourcesIS SpecialistsEnd UsersHardware ResourcesMachines – the computing devices themselvesMedia – where data is storedIII. Information System ResourcesSoftware ResourcesPrograms – instructions that tell the computer what to doSystem Software – runs the computerApplication Software – a particular use by end usersProcedures – instructions on how to use the systemIII. Information System ResourcesData ResourcesData – unorganized facts and figuresInformation – data organized so that it has value to the organizationNetwork ResourcesCommunications Media- the physical pathways over which signals travelNetwork Infrastructure – hardware, software, and data technologies needed to support communications networksIV. Information System ActivitiesInput of Data ResourcesProcessing of Data into Information – organize, analyze, and manipulate dataOutput of Information Products – dissemination of information products to appropriate end usersStorage of Data ResourcesControl of System Resources – monitoring feedback to assure the system meets its performance standards